Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearlare remakes of the ever-popularPokemonDiamondandPearl.Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearltake players back to the Sinnoh region, which is home to many great Pokemon. The original Generation 4 games introduced some of the franchise’s most iconic creatures, and inBrilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, players will have the chance to catch them all.
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Steel-type Pokemon are a great option for players, with some of the franchise’s strongest and most defensive Pokemon being members of the Steel-type family. WithPokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl’saddition of the Grand Underground, players will have even more opportunities to hunt down and catch these Pokemon.
10Bastiodon (Shining PearlExclusive)
Bastiodon’s Rock/Steel-type gives it an unfortunate 4X weakness to damage received from both Fighting and Ground-type moves. However, Bastiodon also has the immunity to Poison-type damage that all Steel-types get, which helps to counter this weakness. Its outstanding Defense and Special Defense stats allow it to take most of the hits thrown its way.
Bastiodon evolves from Shieldon, which can be obtained if players find theArmor Fossilin theGrand Undergroundand take it to Oreburgh’sMining Museum. The Armor Fossil is only obtainable inPokemon Shining Pearl. Shieldon will evolve into Bastiodon at level 30.
Bastiodon’s Stats:
9Bronzong
Bronzong’s Steel/Psychic-type gives it a long list of resistances, which come in handy during combat throughout the game. What’s more, Bronzong has decent stats, with the highlights being its Defense and Special Defense.
Bronzong evolves from Bronzor, which can befound in theGrand Undergroundonce players have theStrengthability. It also lurks in the wild onRoute 206, Wayward Cave, Turnback Cave, andMt. Coronet. Bronzor evolves into Bronzong at level 33.
Bronzong’s Stats:
8Scizor (Brilliant DiamondExclusive)
Scizoris a great Pokemon for players to take into battle. Scizor has a huge 1130 Attack stat and great 100 Defense stat, giving it an edge against its opponents. Scizor’s Bug and Steel-typing, it has only one weakness. Fire-type moves do 4X damage to Scizor, but if players are able to avoid this typing, Scizor has no other type weaknesses.
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Scizor evolves from Scyther, which can be found in theGrand Undergroundand onRoute 229, though it is only available to players ofPokemon Brilliant Diamond. Scyther will evolve into Scizor once it is traded while holding aMetal Coat.
Scizors’s Stats:
7Steelix
Steelixis a Steel/Ground-type, with a massive Defense stat thatrivals that of even some of the legendaryPokemon in the Sinnoh region. Steelix’s typing also gives itimmunity not only to Poison, but Electric-type damageas well. Steelix’s biggest downside is its Speed stat, which allows it to be outpaced in battle by most opponents.
Steelix evolves from Onix when the latter istradedwhile holding aMetal Coat. Onix can be found in many places in Sinnoh,including theGrand Underground, Stark Mountain, Victory Road, Snowpoint Temple, Oreburgh Mine, andIron Island.
Steelix’s Stats:
6Lucario
Lucariois a Fighting/Steel-type Pokemon with no 4x weaknesses. It boasts great Attack and Special Attack stats, which allows it to quickly pummel enemies in battle.
Lucario evolves from Riolu, which can be obtained after doing a short side-quest onIron Island. After defeating Team Galactic members, players will be given a Riolu egg that can be hatched and evolved into Lucario. Riolu evolves into Lucario withhigh friendship during the daytime.
Lucario’s Stats:
5Probopass
Probopassis a Rock/Steel-type Pokemon. Like Bastiodon, this gives it two 4x weaknesses, taking massively increased damage from both Fighting and Ground-type moves. Still, Probopass is a great defensive Pokemon, with its Special Defense and Defense stat coming in handy, especially when facing Pokemon with those 4x weakness types.
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Probopass evolves from Nosepass, which can be found onRoute 206.It will evolve into Probopass when leveled up in aMagnetic Fieldarea.
Probopass' Stats:
4Empoleon
Empoleonis the final evolution of the Sinnoh region’s Water-type starter Pokemon. Empoleon’s Water/Steel-typing gives it a number of resistances, and negates Water’s weakness to Grass. With high Special Attack and Special Defense, Empoleon is a solid Pokemon to take into just about any battle.
Empoleon evolves from the starter Pokemon Piplup. For players who didn’t choose Piplup as their starter Pokemon, it can be obtained in theGrand Undergroundonce players haveaccess to theNational Dex. Piplup will evolve into Prinplup at level 16, and then Empoleon at level 36.
Empoleon’s Stats:
3Aggron
Aggronis a Steel/Rock-type Pokemon, which, like others of this typing, gives it a 4x weakness to Fighting and Ground-type damage. This downside is lessened by Aggron’s great Defense stat, and with its high Attack, Aggron is a great Pokemon to take into battle as it can both receive and deal massive damage.
Aggron’s base form is Aron, which evolves into Lairon. Both prior evolutions can be found in theGrand Undergroundonce players have access to theNational Dex. Aron can also be found inFuego Ironworksonce players have access to thePoke Radar. Aron will evolve into Lairon at level 32, and Aggron at level 42.
Aggron’s Stats:
2Magnezone
Magnezoneis a Steel/Electric Pokemon with a 4x weakness to Ground-type moves, but a long list of resistances. Magnezone is a very versatile Pokemon, and is a great matchup to most opponents in the game.
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Magnezone evolves from Magnemite, which can be found in theGrand Undergroundand also inFuego Ironworks. Magnemite will evolve into Magneton at level 30, and Magnezone once it has been given aThunder Stone.
Magnezone’s Stats:
1Metagross
Metagrossis a Steel/Psychic-type Pokemon, giving it no 4x weaknesses and a long list of resistances (Normal, Flying, Rock, Steel, Grass, Ice, Dragon, Fairy, and Psychic-type) in addition to Steel’s guaranteed immunity to Poison damage. Metagross has amazing stats, particularly in regards to Attack and Defense, making is one of the best Pokemon in the franchise.
Metagross’s first evolution is Beldum, which can be caught onRoute 228and in theGrand Undergroundonce players have obtained theNational Dex. Beldum will evolve into Metang at level 20, and Metagross at level 45.
Metagross' Stats:
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearlare available for the Nintendo Switch.
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